The inaugural Hazendal Festival, running from October 4-6, 2024, at the Hazendal Wine Estate in Stellenbosch, Cape Town, promises an immersive blend of South African heritage and global insights. With a theme focused on soil, the festival aims to inspire thought-provoking conversations among artists, scientists, and cultural practitioners. The event will feature a variety of engaging activities, from symposiums and artist installations to children’s workshops and live music, providing a platform for interdisciplinary exchange.

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A Festival Rooted in Soil and Storytelling

Curated by renowned South African curator Khanyisile Mbongwa, the first edition of the Hazendal Festival revolves around the significance of soil. Under the theme “Belele Nje, Abathulunga,” meaning “They may be asleep but they are not quiet,” the festival will explore soil as an archive of collective memories spanning past, present, and future. Through this edition, Mbongwa brings together an eclectic mix of artists, scientists, and healers to examine soil’s fertility from diverse perspectives.

“The commissioned works of the invited artists, scientists, spiritual healers, and cultural innovators interlock to understand the fertility of soil,” explains Mbongwa. Attendees can expect sculptural and performance pieces, live interventions, and installations from a range of creatives, including Thania Petersen, Sethembile Msezane, and Sisonke Papu, among others. Each work will delve into the spirituality and connection humans have with the land, offering festivalgoers the opportunity to participate in these shared spaces.

Artistic Installations and Cultural Interventions

One of the highlights of the festival is a wine-tasting intervention by Queezy Babaz, alongside a special edition Hazendal MCC label designed by celebrated artist Athi-Patra Ruga. Further elevating the festival experience, a gallery exhibition will showcase works by prominent contemporary South African artists, such as Lady Skollie, Inga Somdyala, and Warren Maroon. In this curated environment, attendees will move fluidly between roles as audience members and witnesses to powerful artistic and cultural exchanges.

A Multisensory Experience

Beyond the art installations, Hazendal Festival 2024 will present a diverse lineup of performances and workshops that engage all the senses. Music enthusiasts can look forward to performances by acclaimed South African artists like Zolani Mahola and Tebego Louw. Sound explorations by Chimurenga and sets by DJs Daddy, Phastoki, and Attiyah Khan will ensure an exciting musical landscape throughout the weekend.

Dance will also play a major role, with a live performance choreographed by Luke de Kock, while the visual arts will shine through short film screenings by filmmakers Lerato Shadi and Santiago Mostyn. For those seeking more intimate experiences, workshops such as Tapiwa Guzha’s sensuality self-discovery session and a weaving and natural dye class led by Tinyiko Makwakwa will offer opportunities for personal growth and creative exploration.

Intellectual Engagement and Culinary Delights

In addition to artistic showcases, the festival will host a symposium led by Lungi Morrison, featuring conversations between artists and leading South African academics, including Dr. Christian Lueme, Prof. Kensese Mossanda, and Dr. Uhuru Phalafala. These dialogues will deepen the audience’s understanding of the festival’s themes, bringing academic rigor into conversation with creative practices.

The culinary offering at Hazendal Festival is equally exciting. Esteemed Zulu chef Vusi Ndlovu, in collaboration with Hazendal’s Head Chef Michelle Theron, will present a fine-dining experience that blends South African flavors with innovative techniques. For families, a children’s program curated by Faatimah Mohamed-Luke will run throughout the weekend, ensuring that young attendees have their own enriching and creative experiences.

Reflecting on the Land

Maxim Voloshin, Managing Director of Hazendal Wine Estate, emphasizes the festival’s deeper connection to the land, noting, “For Hazendal, the notion of land is about responsibility – to work on and with the land towards a shared hopeful future. If Soil is to be seen through the lens of fertility, actions of hope are the fertilizers of repair.”

With this inaugural festival, Hazendal Wine Estate seeks to foster a sense of collective responsibility and curiosity, exploring how art, culture, and science can inspire a more sustainable and interconnected future.

Join the Celebration

Tickets for the Hazendal Festival 2024, including weekend passes and one-day tickets, are available for purchase on the Hazendal Wine Estate website. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to experience a cultural event that connects the land, art, and community in a meaningful and profound way.

For more information, visit Hazendal Wine Estate’s website.

Follow the festival on social media with #HazendalFestival2024 on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

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